Padlock key support and operating chain



July 20, 1954 w. E. STAGEBERG PADLOCK KEY SUPPORT AND OPERATING CHAIN Filed Oct. 26, 1950 v) O NW FIG. 2.

FIG. 5.

Buncutor W ILFRED E. STAGEBERG FIG-6.

Gttorncg Patented July 20, 1954 UNITED STATEE .ih fl ENT OFFICE PADLOCK KEY SUPPORT AND OPERATING CHAIN Application October 26, 1950, Serial No. 192,173

(Cl. 70-l-59) 4 Claims.

This invention relates to a key chain and key ring combination made in padlock form to support a series of keys on the shackle of the lock and providing a key chain for other keys, which controls the operation of the shackle of the look.

A feature resides in a miniature form padlock having a locking shackle, which may be relieved from looking position by engaging a key chain secured to the operating mechanism of the padlock. The shackle of the lock forms a loop for supporting a series of keys, such as the keys used for the ignition and the lock of automobiles, to support the same in a manner so that they can be easily dis-engaged from the padlock key holder, while a series of other keys may be retained on a flexible chain which is connected to the padlock mechanism in a manner so that when a push is exerted while holding the key chain and keys supported thereon, the padlock shackle will be unlocked.

A further feature resides in providing a plastic body for the mechanism of the padlock key support so as to enclose the working parts and permit the printing of display matter on the plastic body or" the padlock key support as well as to supply the plastic body of the key support in different colors.

It is also a feature to provide a simple means for supporting two sets of keys so that one may be separated readily from the other. A key support of this character is desirable for the ignition and lock keys of an automobile, and it permits the owner of the automobile to readily separate the automobile keys from other keys which the owner may normally carry.

It is a further feature to provide a key chain support having a padlock body formation in which a key chain holding plate, forming part of the inner locking mechanism, extends outwardly from the bottom of the body portion. When the extension of the mechanism plate simulating the base end of a key in the padlock is pushed inwardly, it unlocks the catch to release the shackle of the padlock to permit the removal of any keys supported by the padlock shackle.

All the features and details 7 will be clearly hereinafter defined.

In the drawings forming part of this specification:

Figure 1 illustrates the padlock key support and operating chain illustrating the manner in which the same is used to support a series of keys, one set of which may be readily separated from the key support.

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional View of the padlock casing and showing the mechan sm and 2 shackle in full lines while the shackle is dotted in released position.

Figure 3 is a top view of the padlock key support.

Figure 4 illustrates the shackle removed from the padlock.

Figure 5 is a section on the line 55 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 illustrates the locking plate removed from the casing, showing the spring locking member in position.

Figure 7 is an edge view of Figure 6, showing the locking plate.

The padlock key support and operating chain A. is adapted to hold a series of keys it by the shackle l 8 while a flexible key chain [2 is adapted to support a series of keys E3.

The shackle H of the padlock key support A is formed from a piece of wire, with the key supporting loop adapted to project above the body it in a manner to permit the keys H] to be carried on the shackle.

The shackle H is formed with a long shank portion i5, which has formed therein a recess i6 and a shouldered cylindrical portion ll adjacent thereto, which forms a locking shoulder is between the recess it and the shank portion ii; The end of the shank 19 provides a head which rides in the recess 20 formed in the casing M.

A coil spring 25 is positioned in the lower end of the recess 2!) and is adapted to normally bear against the end of the head id of the shackle l i. This spring means tends to urge the shackle it up into the dotted position illustrated in Figure 2, when the padlock key holder is unlocked.

The holder A is formed with a spring locking tongue 22, which normally extends horizontally in the casing 94 and is supported by the locking key plate 23. The spring 22 is anchored on one end to the plate 23 and the free end thereof extends into the recess l5 and engages against the shoulder 18 to normally look the shackle in the position illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, with the free end of the short shank portion 24 of the shackle H extending into the recess 25 formed in the casing I4. The free end .22 of the spring 22 also bears against the shoulder 29 formed internally of the body i4 so that when the plate 23 is moved inwardly the spring 22 is caused to flex about its fulcrum thereby withdrawing the free end 22 0f the spring 22 from the recess it to release the shackle ll. Thus the shackle l I is held like the shackle of a padlock in closed position by the spring locking member 22.

The coil spring 2| continues to press against the head l9, and the spring 22 holds the shackle in locked closed position. The locking key plate 23 is slideably supported in the body or casing l4 and is held against separation from the body by the inwardly projecting lug 26, which engages against the shoulder 2'! formed on the locking key plate 23. When it is desired to release the shackle or unlock the same, the key plate 23 is moved inwardly, as illustrated in dotted lines in Figure 2, by gripping the flexible key chain it, which is carried by the projecting ear 2's and which is formed as an integral part of the plate 23. The flexible chain passes freely through the hole 29 in the ear 28. In moving the locking plate 23 inwardly, the spring 22 is bent over the fulcrum shoulder 30 on the key plate 23 in a manner to withdraw the free end 22 from the recess l5, whereupon the spring 2% automatically pushes the shackle into released position, illustrated in dotted lines in Figure 2.

When the shackle i l is released, the end 2% can be turned away from the recess 25 and the keys l applied to or removed therefrom.

When the keys iii have been applied to the shackle H, the end 24 is pressed in line with the hole or recess 25, and by pressing downwardly on the shackle, the spring 22 automatically engages in the recess It, thereby locking the in closed position.

A feature of this padlock key supporting member resides in providing a means for locking the keys on the shackle and the key chain 52 so that ordinary pull on the key chain l2 will tend to act with the spring 2! to keep the shackle held in locked position. However, when the user oi the padlock key chain support and chain A desires to separate the keys (which may be the ignition keys for an automobile), he may readily do so by operating the key plate 23 by engaging the key chain 12 and pushing inwardly on the ear 28., which moves the plate 23 in a manner to release the spring 22 and thereby automatically release the shackle l from looking position.

The body of the padlock key chain support may be made of plastic or other suitable mate rial and has flat sides which are adapted to readily receive indicia or display matter of any desired nature, such as advertising or the name of the distributor.

The padlock key support A is of a simple construction, easily operated, and in miniature form may be readily carried in ones pocket.

I claim:

.1. In a padlock key support, a body portion,

said body portion having a recess formed therein, ashackle member pivotally and slideably mounted in said recess, one end of said shackle having a notch formed therein, a slideable plate member positioned within said recess, a spring secured on one end to said plate member and having the free end thereof engageable with said notch, a shoulder formed in said recess against which the free end of said spring is adapted to bear, a shoulder formed on said plate member over which said spring is adapted to bend to disengage said notch upon movement of said plate inwardly of said recess, spring means positioned in said recess adapted to urge said shackle outwardly of said recess, and shoulder means for maintaining said plate in said recess.

2. In a padlock key support, a body portion having a recess formed therein, a shackle member slideably and pivotally mounted in said recess, one end of said shackle having a notch formed thereon, a plate member having a fulcrum shoulder formed thereon and slideably mounted in said recess, said plate member having a locking spring secured thereto and positioned over said shoulder adapted to engage said notch of said shackle when said shackle is in a closed. position, a shculder formed in said recess against which the free end of said spring is adapted. to bear, an ear member formed on said plate member of a length sufficient to extend beyond said body portion in a manner that said plate may be manually engaged and moved inwardly of said recess to force said fulcrum shoulder against said spring to disengage said spring from said notch to allow said shackle to move outwardly of said body portion, spring means tending to force said shackle outwardly of said body portion, and means for maintaining said plate Within said recess.

3. A padlock key support including a body portion having a recess formed therein, a shackle pivotally and slideably mounted in said bodyportion said shackle formed with one arm having a notch formed therein, a plate slideably extending into said recess formed in said body, a locking spring carried by said plate for engagement with said notch formed in said shackle arm, a fulcrum shoulder formed on the inner end of said plate over which said spring is flexed, a shoulder formed within said recess of said body against which the free end of said spring is adapted to bear, spring means for urging said shackle into unlocking position, and an ear member formed on said plate and extending from said body portion for actuating said plate to release said locking spring from said notch to permit said spring means to release said shackle from 'closed'position.

4. The combination or a key chain for a set of keys and a padlock body formation having a shackle slideably and pivotally mounted in a recess formed therein adapted to form a support for a second series of keys, said shackle having notch means formed on one end thereof, and means inciuding a slideable plate extending into said recess formed in the body of said padlock and carrying a locking spring for engaging with said notch means of said shackle and adapted to support said key chain for said first named keys, which key chain forms a means of engagement to pull said plate into a locking position and to push the same inwardly in said padlock to release said shackle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 104,640 Pinover June 21, 1870 237,583 Northrop Feb. 8, 1881 1,187,471 Ruskin June 13, 1916 1,498,16el Gonzalez June 17, 1924 1,571,425 Mataloni Feb. '2, 1926 1,902,297 Walker Mar 21, 1933 2,136,054 Malley Nov. 8, I938 

